It’s 7:38 a.m., and the bell has just rung, signaling students to head to first period. They juggle backpacks and buzzing phones—but the silver and neon cans in their hands are what stands out.
Almost one-third of teens between 12 and 17 years of age drink energy drinks regularly, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. But as consumption of energy drinks grows, so do health concerns. Energy drinks like Monster, Red Bull and Alani promise to improve energy and focus, but their high levels of caffeine and sugar impose risks on adolescents who regularly consume them.
“Sometimes students don’t realize that caffeine is a drug,” health teacher Megan Bice said.
“It is addictive. We start to rely on it for energy. Our body craves it if we don’t have it, and that can lead to migraines and discomfort in the gut when we don’t have it.” Childhood is often when caffeine consumption begins, typically with options like chocolate or soda. As teenagers enter adolescence, this intake frequently increases, and they begin to explore beverages with higher caffeine levels, such as coffee and energy drinks according to a 2017 study the “The Safety of Ingested Caffeine.”
For some students, peer influence plays a role in the rising popularity of energy drinks among students.
“I started drinking energy drinks at the start of my freshman year because my friends started,” freshman Hanna Strzalkowski said. “I drink one every school day.”
Side effects of caffeine can range from headaches to shaking and even high blood pressure. Senior Sam Ruhnke’s elevated blood pressure at a recent doctor’s appointment was later linked to drinking a Celsius beforehand.
“My doctor called and said my blood pressure was high, and they had me go back in to make sure my blood pressure was normal,” Ruhnke said.
These small cans carry a lot of risk for long term effects on the body, especially for teens, including cardiovascular problems, nervous system disorders, and the potential for addiction, according to the National Library of Medicine. Energy drinks can pack more than just high levels of caffeine; many are high in added sugars as well. A standard 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull contains 27 grams of added sugar—exceeding the 25-gram daily limit recommended by both the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“If you like energy drinks, try looking at different brands, looking at the nutrition label, seeing how much added sugars are in it, what other products are there?” Bice said. “Flip the can over and just look, like what am I really consuming?”
Many students claim they consume energy drinks due to a loss of sleep from staying up to do homework, and participation in after school activities, according to Bice.
“My advice, which is really hard, is to get more sleep.” Bice said. “Make sure that you practice managing your time so you’re not having to rely so lon energy drinks]. Instead you’re getting a consistent eight hours.” For those who don’t want to give up their morning drink, try coffee. On average coffee has less caffeine, according to Mayo Clinic, which can minimize health concerns.
Bice also recommends doing a “body scan” after drinking an energy drink.
“Do you really feel better after [an energy drink], or did it not make a difference?” Bice said. “Do you feel jittery or uncomfortable from it? Because sometimes that [means] too much caffeine.”
A cross-sectional study of secondary school children conducted in the South West of England reported a significant positive association between caffeine consumption, particularly at very high levels over 1,000 mg/week), and both depression and anxiety, but not stress.
Energy drinks may be a quick fix to our tiredness, but the long term effects can be anything but energizing. For high schoolers, who are still growing, it might be worth waiting to crack open a can.
